How to Clean Burlap
Burlap is relatively risky to wash. It has been known to shrink when washed, fray out on the edges, create massive amounts of lint in your washing machine, wrinkle like crazy and some types will even smell bad to boot. But there are a few techniques that can be used to make the whole process work for you if you have the patience to get the job done.
Instructions
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Shake the burlap out and air it outside for a few hours, if the fabric is not too badly stained. Putting it in the sun can bleach out stains as well. This is most useful when dealing with simple odors in the fabric.
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Keep it out in the sun and fresh air for up to a few days, taking it indoors only if it is going to rain. Applying baking soda to the bag is also a good way to rid the bags of odors. Simply sprinkle the baking soda inside the bag and let it set for several days. Then turn the bags inside-out, shake them out carefully and check the smell again.
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Wash burlap by hand if possible, as tumbling in a washer can cause the fabric to fray badly and create massive amounts of lint in your washing machine. This can be remedied by zigzag stitching the edges of the burlap with a sewing machine or by applying a layer of Fray Check to the edges.
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Use vinegar to kill the smell if baking soda is not available, but do not use both vinegar and baking soda at the same time as the mix of the two will cause a minor eruption to take place. Soak a sample of the burlap in vinegar diluted with water and then rinse with plain water as this may be all it takes to get the smells out of old burlap.
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Avoid using fabric refreshers or other chemical cleaners on your burlap as they can cause allergy sensitivities in some people. This is particularly important if you are using the burlap to store food for sale to customers, such as coffee beans.
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Tips & Warnings
Test a small piece of burlap in the washing machine or in a sink full of suds to see how the fabric will hold up under soap and water.
Some types of burlap give off very unpleasant odors which have nothing to do with the cleanliness of the bag. If you are going to be working with these types of burlap for any length of time, always have suitable ventilation available.
